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In this video, HH Sacinandana Swami shares insights on controlling and focusing the mind, especially during the practice of chanting the Holy Name. He explains that the mind, much like a vast storage of memories and distractions, must be “turned off” to focus solely on Krishna. Swami references various teachings from saints and scriptures on how to manage the mind: for example, Rupa Goswami encourages lovingly directing the mind towards holy topics, while Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur sugge

By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi

Nectar Talks, a podcast hosted by devotees at ISKCON Alachua, has launched its second season following the success of its first. The podcast is dedicated to capturing and sharing the essence of devotees’ spiritual journeys. 

In a recent conversation with ISKCON News, Amrita-keli Dasi, one of the podcast hosts, shared some exciting updates about the new season. Among the enhancements is upgraded equipment, which will significantly improve both the quality and ov

As part of the 2024 Bhadra Purnima campaign, the Badrinath/Haridwar Yatra distributed more than 150 Srimad Bhagavatam sets over a five-day period. It was yet another wonderful opportunity to reconnect, rejuvenate, and recommit to exploring one of the many channels that Srila Prabhupada continues to provide so that we can participate in his most cherished service—book distribution.

Around 650+ devotees took part in this campaign, visiting places such as Sukaratala, the very place where Sukadev Go

भगवद्गीता यथारूप 108 महत्त्वपूर्ण श्लोक

अध्याय नौ परम गुह्य ज्ञान

समोSहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योSस्ति न प्रियः ।

ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम् ।। 29 ।।

समः– समभाव;अहम्– मैं;सर्व-भूतेषु– समस्त जीवों में;न– कोई नहीं;मे– मुझको;द्वेष्यः– द्वेषपूर्ण;अस्ति– है;न– न तो;प्रियः– प्रिय;ये– जो;भजन्ति– दिव्यसेवा करते हैं;तु– लेकिन;माम्– मुझको;भक्त्या– भक्ति से;मयि– मुझमें हैं;ते– वे व्यक्ति;तेषु– उनमें;च– भी;अपि– निश्चय ही;अहम्– मैं।

भावार्थ : मैं न तो किसी से द्वेष करता हूँ, न ही किसी के साथ

By Madhur Gauranga Das  

The Damodara Outreach Program (DOP), initiated by the Congregational Development Ministry (CDM) in 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aims to spread the teachings and love of Lord Damodara during the sacred Kartik month, which spans from October 17 to November 15 in 2024. This initiative has grown from a small local effort to a global movement, attracting devotees eager to engage in acts of devotion.

Kartik month, revered for its spiritual significance, offers unique opport

In this video, H.G. Sankarshan Prabhu delivers a talk on Chapter 5, Text 16 of the Bhagavad Gita, focusing on the transformative power of spiritual knowledge. He explains how true knowledge, which comes from surrendering to Krishna, dispels ignorance like the rising sun and reveals one’s eternal connection with the Divine. He contrasts mundane and spiritual knowledge, sharing personal anecdotes about his own spiritual journey and encounters with false teachings. The talk emphasizes the importanc

By Atma Tattva Das

Mauritius recently commemorated the 49th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s historic arrival in the country in 1975 with a week of celebrations that honored his legacy as well as set the stage for next year’s highly anticipated 50th-anniversary event. From heartfelt gatherings at Krishna Balaram Mandir to a vibrant beach kirtan at Pointe aux Sables, the spirit of devotion and gratitude for Srila Prabhupada’s contributions was palpable.

The festivities kicked off on September 29

भगवद्गीता यथारूप 108 महत्त्वपूर्ण श्लोक

अध्याय नौ परम गुह्य ज्ञान

यत्करोषि यदश्र्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् ।

यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् ॥ 27 ॥

यत्– जो कुछ;करोषि– करते हो;यत्– जो भी;अश्नासि– खाते हो;यत्– जो कुछ;जुहोषि– अर्पित करते हो;ददासि– दान देते हो;यत्– जो;यत्– जो भी;तपस्यसि– तप करते हो;कौन्तेय– हे कुन्तीपुत्र;तत्– वह;कुरुष्व– करो;अर्पणम्– भेंट रूप में।
भावार्थ : हे कुन्तीपुत्र! तुम जो कुछ करते हो, जो कुछ खाते हो, जो कुछ अर्पित करते हो या दान देते हो और जो भी तपस्या करते हो, उसे मुझे

The Better India platform shares positive stories happening across India “uncovering the tales of everyday unsung heroes, community change-makers, groundbreaking innovations, and remarkable ideas often overlooked by mainstream media.”

One of its recent spotlights was focused on the city of Chennai which is posed to become “India’s first gender-inclusive city, thanks to a Gender Lab set up by the Greater Chennai Corporation.” The GCC is focused at providing women safe access to public spaces and

The annual World Holy Name Festival (WHNF), organized by the ISKCON Kirtan Ministry, concluded its 2024 edition with great success, uniting temples and devotees from across the world. This festival, observed from September 17 to September 23, celebrates Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental journey to the West, which marked the beginning of ISKCON’s worldwide mission to spread the glories of the Holy Name.

The 2024 theme, “Srila Prabhupada Wants You to Chant for Love and Peace,” was more than a mess

The Sacred Glories of Radha Kunda

The holy city of Mathura holds a position of spiritual supremacy over Vaikuntha, the transcendental world, because it is where the Supreme Lord appeared. Yet, even greater than Mathura is the transcendental forest of Vrindavana, renowned for the divine rasalila pastimes of Lord Krishna. Superior to Vrindavana is Govardhana Hill, uplifted by Krishna’s divine hand and the site of His many loving pastimes. But above all, the superexcellent Radha Kunda reigns suprem

Wherever in this world there were great manifestations of love between Radha and Krsna, not only was it an extraordinary experience for those who were present there, but actually that entire place also became transformed.

Various places in Vrindavan, where Radha and Krsna had great exchanges of love, are very potent with powerful mercy that becomes available to us as well. The appearance of Radha-kund, the lake of Srimati Radharani, is a most special occasion, as it is said that Radha kund is t

Kartik is very auspicious for spiritual advancement. Another name for Kartik is Urja-vrata. Urja means power. The supreme power, the original power, is Srimati Radharani. So Urja-vrata, or Kartik-vrata, is for Srimati Radharani. Many important pastimes took place in the month of Kartik. On the full-moon night, Sri Krishna played upon His flute and enjoyed the rasa-lila, which is considered the best of His pastimes. Also during Kartik, Krishna saw that the residents of Vrindavan were preparing to

 krsnasyoccaih pranaya-vasatih preyasibhyo ’pi radha
kundam casya munibhir abhitas tadrg eva vyadhayi
yat presthair apy alam asulabham kim punar bhakti-bhajam
tat premedam sakrd api sarah snatur aviskaroti

“Of the many objects of favoured delight and of all the lovable damsels of Vrajabhumi, Srimati Radharani is certainly the most treasured object of Krishna’s love. And, in every respect, Her divine kunda is described by great sages as similarly dear to Him. Undoubtedly Radha-kunda is rarely att

भगवद्गीता यथारूप 108 महत्त्वपूर्ण श्लोक

अध्याय नौ परम गुह्य ज्ञान

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति ।

तदहं भक्तयुपहृतमश्र्नामि प्रयतात्मनः ॥ 26 ॥

पत्रम्– पत्ती;पुष्पम्– फूल;फलम्- फल;तोयम्– जल;यः– जो कोई;मे– मुझको;भक्त्या– भक्तिपूर्वक;प्रयच्छति– भेंट करता है;तत्– वह;अहम्– मैं;भक्ति-उपहृतम्– भक्तिभाव से अर्पित;अश्नामि– स्वीकार करता हूँ;प्रयत-आत्मनः– शुद्धचेतना वाले से।

भावार्थ : यदि कोई प्रेम तथा भक्ति के साथ मुझे पत्र, पुष्प, फल या जल प्रदान करता है, तो मैं उसे स्वीकार करता हूँ।

तात्पर्य

Summary

The lecture describes the early days of ISKCON in New York City, specifically the first temple established at 262 Second Avenue in the Lower East Side. The text focuses on Srila Prabhupada’s interactions with a group of young Americans who were seeking spiritual enlightenment and the challenges of introducing Krishna Consciousness in a secular, counter-culture environment. The text provides insight into the cultural context of 1960s America, the importance of chanting the Hare Krishna